Dharma talk “The old road we walked” in the 101st Seven-day Retreat

On the 2nd day in the 101st Retreat of Dec. 24th, 2023 all practitioners listened to a Dharma talk named “The old road we walked” - The transformation path we have walked, are walking and will walk. Thanks to that, we are present together today, at here in the main hall of Wheel Dharma Building, preached by Junior Thich Tam Tien, Bachelor of Buddhist University in Thailand, Master of Naropa Religious Philosophy, USA, Doctor student at Boston University, USA.

By analyzing the Lotus Sutra, chapter of Emerging from the Earth, the monk preached to all the practitioners:

- Hope to practice and listen to the Dharma, we should learn the examples of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas of giving up family ties to be present at the ashram; because of the Dharma and respect for the Dharma, we are present; the mind must be mindfulness to hear the Dharma and see the Buddha.

- The listener mind is present right now without comment or judgment, which is the first way the practitioner enters the path of transformation. Entering the path of liberation with the initial mind of humility, wanting to learn, we do not comment, nor evaluate. Even though life still has a lot of sadness and suffering, when we use our initial mind to enter the practice, we should temporarily put everything aside, accept and gather the broken and suffering to transform and heal. The beginner's mind is the maturity of true belief on the path the practitioner is on, a firm understanding that no longer wavers. People who always have a beginner's mind, what they convey will be very clear with a tolerant attitude. An important factor on the practice is understanding and wisdom. We gradually let go of our worries and share our peace and joy with everyone, leading them along the path of transformation to achieve peace and happiness. Suffering is the material to build the path we are on.

In the lecture areas, there is a group activity program in the afternoon. The monks in the Management Board shared things with Buddhists, thereby connecting the members together in the spirit of co-cultivators.

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